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About Deborah

Deborah Bowman, Ph.D., is a psychologist, photographer, author and Professor at Naropa University where she founded the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology Program and the Wilderness Therapy program. Buddhist practice and passion guided her photographic journeys in Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Laos, Burma and Cambodia. For more than 24 years she has worked as a Gestalt, Jungian and contemplative based psychotherapist in Boulder, CO.

Capturing the subtle artistic rendering of an ancient statue in a photograph is a mindfulness practice. Each step demands patience, energy and awareness. Photographing sacred images in Asia, my subjects are my teachers. Monolithic sculptures of the Buddha in meditation teach serenity and perseverance. Figures of the female Buddha and bodhisattva, Guanyin, offer compassion and grace. The many unknown artists who have tooled these iconic sculptures are my inspiration, unknowingly offering their gifts to so many across the centuries.

I love the sense of history that a weathered carving exudes. It connects me to nature in the same way I feel when walking through a temple garden that’s grown just a little wild. While much of what I photograph is ancient I’ve come to understand it’s transitory nature. Many of the sites I’ve shot are the ones that were not bombed or destroyed for politics or religious fervor. I feel a duty to salvage what color and beauty remain.

While researching the teachings of great Buddhist teachers from around the world, I have been immersed in their profound experiences and reflections. Pairing their wisdom, solace, humor and compassion with inspirational photos has been a labor of love. Writing about my experiences in the books and the Female Buddha Blog is an opportunity to have an interesting conversation. I am grateful to share their profound gifts and look forward to an ongoing dialogue with the buddha in you!

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8 thoughts on “About Deborah”

I wanted to thank you for you wonderful blog and I look forward to reading your book! While attending graduate school I came across ‘The Wise Heart’ by Jack Kornfield. Ever since, I have been greatly intrigued as to how I can apply the concepts and ideas of Buddhist Psychology to not only my own life, but the individuals I work with as well. I have found this new knowledge to be extremely helpful in working with adult sex offenders as well as individuals I see in my private practice.

Dear Lindsay,
Thanks so much for sharing your enthusiasm for my blog and about Jack Kornfield’s book. It’s great to know you use Buddhist Psychology in you personal and professional work.
Appreciatively, Deborah

I hope you don’t mind – I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award – for full details please seehttp://worldlywinds.com/2012/06/04/sunshine-award/
I think your blog is inspiring and pretty special!
Please feel free to take part only if you want to – if you do not take part in awards then please just take this as a big thank you and a shout out for your blog!!
Alex